"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." ~William Penn

"Politics is too small when compared to everyday Filipinos who have larger than life dreams." ~Mike Acebedo Lopez, March 27, 2017

"Those that remind us of the indomitable will of the human spirit to triumph over adversity, that make you believe in people, that make you hope for our country and our world." ~Mike Acebedo Lopez, March 27, 2017

"Only a Filipino can bring peace to the Philippines." ~Paula Defensor Knack from MY LEGAL OPINION ON THE THREAT OF AN ICC CASE : REASONS WHY THE COUNTRY SHOULD NOT WORRY. (final version Mar. 19, 2017, 12:07pm)

"The most accomplished people do not care about degrees honoris causa." ~Paula Defensor Knack (April 2017)

"The right to free speech does not cover accusations before the rest of the world without concrete evidence of each incident." ~Paula Defensor Knack

"You are like cry babies looking for a nanny from people who dont know your country and dont know your culture." ~Paula Defensor Knack from MY LEGAL OPINION ON THE THREAT OF AN ICC CASE : REASONS WHY THE COUNTRY SHOULD NOT WORRY. (final version Mar. 19, 2017, 12:07pm)

"You cannot win the battle without the right weapon." ~Paula Defensor Knack

"I have no illusions about myself, about my life, about leaving a legacy, or making a mark in people's lives. We are so insignificant. We are only here for a blink." ~Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

"Martial Law is an experience that many of us are familiar with, but it takes a lot of egoism to declare Martial Law. So I hope we'll never have it unless the ruler or the leader is very narcissistic. Martial Law is just an expression of a frustrated soul." - Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, April 2016

"There is only one person whom I know who have no records of corruption and that is Digong." ~Late Sen. Miriam Santiago on PRRD

"The Filipino spirit is like no other – the more we struggle from one turmoil and calamity to the next, the more resilient we become and we still manage to smile. We have an unwavering faith in God, we are creative, talented and optimistic. And for me, being a Filipino means that I have to support my country by respecting the voice of the people." ~Joyce Herrera-Wong on Greed and Narcissism, FB

"Over the years, I have learned that talent alone does not guarantee success, sometimes you have to work hard and put in a mighty effort to receive a great reward." ~Andrea Mason, Indigenous Leader, Northern Territory, AUSTRALIAN of the YEAR 2017

2017 is like a pancake.
Soggy and raw in the middle,
burnt on the sides,
topped with honey."
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao
December 30, 2017

"Arrogance, lies and deceit will never win people over. Duterte works,cares and is straightforward with us." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao, 18 September 2017

"Federalism for is meaningful self-governance. It's not a magic tablet, not a cure-all. We need to toil hard and shape up." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"I am in a journey with my fellow countrymen under Duterte's leadership to rid our country of corruption, criminality and address the devastating consequences of the Philippines being almost a narco state." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayap, on her Open letter to European Parliament: 'You disrespected our will as a sovereign people'

"I carry with me a guilt. And unshed tears. That men in uniform died to keep my city safe."~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"I dread the coming of summer.
For its smell of gunpowder, blood, ash and decay.
And records of humiliation, betrayals, grief and folly."
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"I honor my wrinkles. They are treasure maps, witnesses and companions to battles won and lost. I wear each with love and defiance." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"I pulled out and wrung you to dry.
To lie beside the blade.
By daylight, I keep you back, my heart.
To be healer, lover and fighter."
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"Maanyag ka labaw sa katahum sa kabuntagon." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"Marawi in my mind had spectacular rains
that thundered, rolled, caressed and choked.
It blinded, soaked, froze and thawed.
The best rains are soft, warm,
hanging on pine trees. Like fireflies.
I kept all our rains in a jar.
To peek at. To hug on. To cling to.
Allow us more rains with you."
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"Message to the World: The Philippines is a sovereign nation. We deal with our fate. We are NOT anyone else's slaves." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao, October 13, 2017

"Silence is balm, friend and armored knight.
An unlettered prose, an unsung lullaby.
An unforgivable tormoil set free in sands."
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"The most crippling of all the brutal forces is our apathy to the ails of our nation and the hate to the one man the majority had chosen to lead this country." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao, November 29, 2017

"They seek out each other.
As adversaries with past disasters.
Facing off after a clean war.
The wolf moon smirks."
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"Today,
I meet by the door
Betrayal.
Lead it into the parlor.
Stared it down until
it turned into a dark ash.
Its malodorous presence
lingered. Like death."
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"We are a sovereign state. Filipinos are a free People. WE ARE NOT UNDER THE DICTATE OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

"We need to find courage and speak against the evils in our communities. Even if they are friends, family or half of ourselves." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao, September 25, 2017

"You disrespected our will as a sovereign people." ~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao on her Open letter to European Parliament, March 17, 2017

VERSES

MISSED IT, IN ONE MINUTE

Some days it hit so badly.
One wills the thick fog
to visit and envelope
what remains.
In tatters.
One calls out for the lashing rains
to bathe the melancholia.
In quarters.
One rolls gently
to evenly apply the warmth of earth
on sun-baked skin.
In sections.
In soiled tatters,
in shy quarters,
in dark sections.
She came and was led away.
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

RIVERS

Kept suspended between words. She bleeds.

Kept hostaged between letters. She grasps.

Torn and kept. She flows.

Both in Agus River* and in the River of Pouyade.
END

*The Agus River flows from Marawi City into Lanao del Norte. The New Bridge is one of the bridges heavily fought with in the Marawi siege and is almost over where the end of Lake Lanao meets the beginning of Agus River.
~Rolaiza Mimi Singayao
October 11, 2017

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

SHE

It was in a fit
of jealousy
that She,
the world
cast
a curse
for us mortals
not to give
wholly
of ourselves.

"The fight for the Motherland is bigger and more important than us . We cannot let this slip out of our hands. ..., "the enemy is powerful." So powerful and it is attacking the president on all fronts. He needs us more than ever. He is old, tired and almost losing hope. I can see it in his eyes . We can do this. We made it happen last May election (2016), we can certainly push this and complete the victory..................For the Motherland................ For the future of our children." ~Blaire Ejercito, FB

"I think (that is) the challenge facing governments around the world, that while globalization and economic integration, economic competition, have undoubted benefits, more people need to share in those benefits." ~Julie Bishop on her recent visit to the Philippines, March 17-18, 2017

"I think (that) President Duterte was responding to the concerns of the people of the Philippines, and the lesson for politicians around the world is to tap into the concerns, particularly of those who feel left behind by globalization, those who have been affected by the disruption of technologies, and those who fear change." ~Julie Bishop, Foreign Minister of Australia

3/14/17

“Do something nice for someone today and don’t judge them just because they're out there asking for money for we don’t know their situation… some deserve another shot." Cesia Abigail, from the article:Café Owner Lets Homeless Man Work For Food by Josh Starling, Mar 11, 2017

“There is a difference between saying goodbye and letting go. Goodbye is not permanent. You can meet years later as old friends and share what happened in your life. You can smile and laugh about all the nonsense that you both went through. However, letting go is being okay with never seeing this person ever again…being okay with never knowing how their life turned out…being okay with fifty or more years of silence… being okay with running into that person at a grocery store and having them not acknowledge your presence.” ~Shannon L. Adler

"During my reading leisure, one of the people that I do regularly stay tuned in Facebook is Mr. Mark Lopez. Though meek in his appearance, he is fierce with his keystrokes as every message he send to the public is painstakingly direct and honest. His latest rant on freedom of speech is one hell of an accolade as he give emphasis on openness of communication and information whichever side you choose without resorting to underhanded tricks and deception." ~Jeffrey Dela Cruz, FB comment on Freedom of Speech, March 8, 2017

"Force feeding others with misinformation as self-proclaimed sentinels of truth is already a crime against humanity. Same applies to yanking in authority." ~Jeffrey Dela Cruz, April 26, 2017

‪"Humor knows no age." ~Jeffrey Dela Cruz‬

"If we have turncoat politicians, we do also have turncoat propagandists in our midst." ~Jeffrey Dela Cruz

"Loyalty must be unwavering, not out of necessity." ~Jeffrey Dela Cruz

"The value of the sword is not that it falls, but rather, that it hangs." ~From Jeffrey Dela Cruz

"The wildfire of hate is not something that can be stopped by a single person alone but it can begin with you. The real enemy is not from the other party or among our ranks. It is among ourselves. Really, it is killing us." ~Jeffrey Dela Cruz

"Understanding sarcasm is a sign of good health for they understand the deeper meaning behind a statement in another twist, yet, it makes others sick for having sarcastic people around." ~Jeffrey Dela Cruz, FB, December 4, 2017

"And for a nation which has grown weary of the ugliness of radicalism, maybe it is now time for the Left to act in unity with the rest of us." ~Mark Lopez, 25 July 2017 post SONA-2

"And in the free flow, you either get enlightened, or you get lost.
At the end of the day, it will boil down to your choice.
Yours alone.
And that my dear friends, is free speech."
~Mark Lopez on Free Speech, March 7, 2017

"As diverse, as opinionated, as varied an ensemble and as different we all are, we are united and bonded by a common aspiration -- the love for the Motherland. Except the greedy, corrupt and inept motherfuckers who have taken advantage of this land, and who have continuously abused the Filipino people. And this is where we should really draw the line. May God save the Philippines..." ~Mark Lopez on Hydra via We are Collective, March 9, 2017

"I did not vote to look for perfection, for decency or to exalt a presidency. I voted for a leader who recognizes what my country has become, and change it to what it should be. A leader who is empathetic of what people have endured and suffered for so long, and wants to act on it.............A leader who is willing to kill and be killed, just to clean up the mess that incompetence and greed left behind for so long." ~Mark Lopez, March 31, 2017 on Revolution (Repost)

"In an ideal world, this on going ASEAN Summit would have been considered as ground breaking, game changing and paradigm shifting, what with the participation of even the US, Russia, China, Japan, Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand." ~Mark Lopez, November 15, 2017

"In our real every day living, it is nothing but a shield of the powerful against the powerless, and a cover of cowards who cannot take responsibility for their action. In our world, "due process" is the tool of sly and savvy lawyers from elite schools to play around and make a mockery of real justice." ~Mark Lopez, March 31, 2017

"Social media has radically changed the way mass communication is now played, especially in the formation of opinion and points of view. It is a game changer, and it has created a seismic shift in how people now digest and process the news and information. Most importantly it has actually empowered the ordinary citizen himself into becoming an instant newsmaker, or a journalist in the broadest sense. As with what we have been discussing with my fellow socmed bloggers, if Duterte were elected prior to the advent of Facebook and Twitter, he would have probably met the same fate as Muammar Gadaffi and Saddam Hussein, or Manuel Noriega." ~Mark Lopez, July 25, 2017 (EXCLUSIVE: Concerned Filipino Mark Lopez on his open letter to US Congress, in an interview with Adam Garrie, The DURAN)

"30 years after, the overwhelming feeling is one of betrayal and disillusionment. EDSA '86 is no longer the dream of peace and progress but the nightmare of corruption and apathy. It is one of the greatest con and one the most brazen swindle in the history of this country." ~Mark Lopez, A Calm Before Storm

"The greatness of this SONA2017 is never in its form, structure or oratorical sense. And the fact that it was laced with profanity and bluster makes it really pedestrian and jejune.
But it is exactly this authenticity and sincerity that elevates its stature. It's not so much about Duterte speaking in as much as we are actually expressing our collective rage against the status quo, and desire for change. It was not just a SONA. It was the BOSES NG MASA." ~Mark Lopez July 24th, SONA2017

"This is a time to be a very proud Filipino, and to stand side by side with our leadership in showcasing the world what we really stand for and what we desire to be in our place in the global community." —Mark Lopez, November 15, 2017 on ASEAN 2017, Manila, Philippines

"Truth is becoming inconvenient. It is becoming discomforting. And the end result is that it is splitting into alternatives. Your truth against mine. Which is which?" ~Mark Lopez on Free Speech, March 7, 2017

"We have a strong-willed President leading the way, sincerely reaching out, and upholding a genuine socialist advocacy." ~Mark Lopez, 25 July 2017 Post SONA-2

"Your innocence is the perfect contrast and a constant reminder of my own imperfections. You make me aspire even as playing with you and making you laugh makes me perspire. You make me want to be better, because I can't do no less.
You are my inspiration." ~Mark Lopez, on his grandson's First Birthday, July 2017

ATTRIBUTED Quotes

"A developed country is not where the poor have cars. It is where the rich use public transportation." ~Gustav Petro, Mayor of Bogota, Colombia (via Mark Lopez)

"In the future, democracy is not going to last long because the politician is already ignorant before the scientist; he is already in the hands of the scientist. The future belongs to the scientist, not to the politician. That means we will have to change the word democracy. I have a word for it: meritocracy." ~OSHO (Priests and Politicians: The Mafia of the Soul)

"Sometimes, you just want to tell a person everything. And sometimes, you find yourself regretting what you told that person when it comes back to you from a dozen other people. It’s not wise to communicate the little details of your life to just anyone; things get around that you don’t necessarily want shared with the world, and who knows how the truth will mutate through multiple exchanges." ~words of wisdom from Daily Vibes

3/5/17

"We have many good men and women in the corporate world. They know what ails society and they know what they can do to help in nation-building and uplift those who have less in life. However, they were adamant to extend their helping hand in the past because they are afraid that any financial assistance they provide might find its way to the pockets of greedy individuals in government and the private sector. Now that they feel that the president is sincere, truthful and has political will to implement plans, projects and programs for the poor, they open up. Getting rid of corruption is the only way for our country to prosper, because if the world will know that the money they share to help others are spent properly on noble endeavors and worthy causes, it will open the floodgates for more help coming from domesrtic and international sources." ~Wilfredo Subong, FB on (Comment:
Jaime Augusto Zobel asks: 'HOW CAN I HELP THE FARMERS?' posted by Secretary Manny Pinol, February 28, 2017)

"For centuries under colonial rule, Filipinos have been so acculturated to foreign and local feudalism, we stopped being vocal and vigilant warriors of JUSTICE, TRUTH, and FREEDOM." ~Drei Toledo

"I am not here to judge what stage of enlightenment or overcoming anger you're at. I'm just here to listen, to perceive, to learn. " ~Drei Toledo, (Filipino Catharsis)

"In order to win a war, battles do not stop because of rain." ~Drei Toledo

"Kindliness magnetizes words, charges them with greater significance, attracts the listener, enhances communication — and makes you look and feel better. And of course, it doesn’t hurt the speaker, either." ~Drei Toledo

"Kindness is an art. You are the painter, and the painting. Color your words — your world — with soft tones and enhanced effect." ~Drei Toledo

"Military Strength is the best deterrent. In situations like ours, wherein our military forces have only recently been receiving the MUCH-NEEDED support and guidance from a strong and sincere leader like President Duterte, DIPLOMACY is our first line of defense." ~Drei Toledo

"Oligarchs usually keep silent when their own family members commit crimes. They're masters of SELF-DELUSION and thus condemn JUSTICE." ~Drei Toledo, August 2017

"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) has won on a platform for genuine change and this will remain as his only agenda to serve the interest of the people." ~Drei Toledo, FB, March 3, 2017

"Since 2004 I was criticized for condemning the Cojuangco-Aquinos. I never imagined Halalan2016 would usher in the demise of LP." ~Drei Toledo, August 2017

"The supporters behind PRRD come from all walks of life. We have a multitude of DISSENTING OPINIONS from within, but our power lies in the FACT that we act as ONE SOLID COLLECTIVE. We succeed TOGETHER. We learn from mistakes TOGETHER. And We Defend the Republic TOGETHER." ~Drei Toledo, March 3, 2016

"The Yellow Regime underestimated the cumulative force of the time when reckoning comes to bring forth JUSTICE delayed for decades." ~Drei Toledo, August 2017

"We, the NINETY-ONE PERCENT behind President Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte, we are willing to fight tooth and nail, and to die by the bullet to protect the President, to protect democracy, and to protect the will of the people." ~Drei Toledo, March 3, 2017

"Without healthy DETACHMENT from material wealth, it's difficult to condemn rich family members who have committed crimes." ~Drei Toledo, August 2017

"Yellow Oligarchs of the Philippines have RAPED the Motherland and her children for 3 DECADES. God bless PRRD, The Punisher." ~Drei Toledo, August 2017

ATTRIBUTED QUOTES

“One does not make war on two fronts, especially so far apart.”~F.G. Hourtoulle, Historian

"America was being replaced by a new source of wisdom” ~David Kupelian, The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom

“Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.” ~David Kupelian, The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom

“We, the parents of this generation, along with the degrading entertainment media, the biased news media, the lying politicians, the brainwashing government school system, and the rest of society’s once-great institutions whose degradation we have tolerated, are responsible.” ~David Kupelian, The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom

3/3/17

“As we take new steps to a Time and Place where no one can see and predict: let us put our feet on the ground close to earth, our hands embraced with each other close to heaven, and our hearts quietly listening to a beautiful voice that makes it possible for the earth and heaven to exist as One. .... One step at a time: it shall bring us to a place where understanding, acceptance, and love become truly One.” ~Rado Gatchalian, January 2018

"Life is a series of ups and downs. As we pause from a long tiring Journey: Here, we find time to see our surroundings. Sometimes, we feel we are all alone. No one to hold our hands when we are down. But as we pause and ponder: even the trees and stars are reminding us dearly — 'Do not be afraid!'" ~Rado Gatchalian

"Oftentimes, the best and sweetest memories are moments when we pause for a while, smile, and treasure a time worth remembering!" ~Rado Gatchalian

"Time is new again to a soul who giggles like a child." ~Rado Gatchalian, 31 December 2016

"We have too many ups and downs. With failures and victory. We almost gave up. But like our Philippine flag: we shall remain high. High in spirit. True in our motives." ~Rado Gatchalian, March 2, 2017, UnitedDDS Sydney

“Be like the strength of the sun and you can conquer the world in your Journey.” ~Anon

“The problem is not the poverty but the inequality.” ~Prof. A.C. Grayling

“We should cautiously feel the ground ahead of us, as cockroaches do, and try to reach the truth in all modesty. We should stop trying to recite the part of all-knowing prophets. But this means that we ourselves must change.” ~Karl Popper, excerpt from his talk given in 1989 at the Liberales Forum at St Gallen University

UNATTRIBUTED

"Knowledge is our strongest ally to fight the enemies of the State. To safeguard the integrity of the Heart of country we need to strengthen the Mind of the People. It is the only way to cure the social disease of corruption and poverty."

VERSES

ETERNAL LOVE
by Rado Gatchalian

Like tulips and bees
Sweetest are the kisses —
The Cosmos collides with the stars
Like friends and lovers
Of Time: of now and beyond.
Perhaps, when the trees and sky
Embrace as two beautiful creatures:
Even the wind and water
Become One — in love —
and in life.

"Friendship with trees: true and pure,
One beautiful day from spring to summer.
Let yourself be free and spread your wings,
Keep calm and she will take you to heaven."
~Rado Gatchalian, short poem

LOOK AT THE STARS
by Rado Gatchalian,
31 December 2016

There were days when you were about to quit
Days too when some people condemned you
Perhaps it was a year when too many struggles
Came your way where you had no choice
But to embrace it or else you will fall
Do not worry
For a new journey is about to begin
When you fall, you rise up again
When you are down, cheer up
When you're losing hope, pray
When you are misjudged, take it as a lesson
When you feel you're alone, look at the stars
There are many blessings to count
Step into a new journey
With hope and faith beating in your heart
Time is new again to a soul who giggles like a child...

ATTRIBUTED VERSES

“We speak the good words,
But do not live them.
We perform the beautiful rituals,
But don’t embody them.
We praise our capacity for reason, But are unreasonably intolerant Of other people’s validity, and reasons.” ~Ben Okri, from ‘Mental Fight’

"I can remember when I was young that my mom would continuously tell me to stay positive. I didn’t understand why it was so important at the time, but she would always explain that keeping a positive attitude and outlook on life would help me get through each day. No matter what hardships I faced, staying positive would help get through it. When I see the impact that being negative has on a person’s life now that I’m older, I can see why she felt so strongly." ~Daily Vibes

"..., I think the best way to truly evaluate your personality is through self-reflection; what is it that you do or say that defines you, that makes you who you are?" ~Daily Vibes

"Sometimes, you just want to tell a person everything. And sometimes, you find yourself regretting what you told that person when it comes back to you from a dozen other people. It’s not wise to communicate the little details of your life to just anyone; things get around that you don’t necessarily want shared with the world, and who knows how the truth will mutate through multiple exchanges." ~words of wisdom from Daily Vibes

"There are different types of toxic people that you can come into contact with. Some are easy to spot, and some are more subtle, which makes them difficult to avoid." ~Daily Vibes

"Those of you with strong personalities have a great sense of self. You don’t let people walk all over you, you don’t let people shake your confidence, and you definitely don’t let people tell you what is or isn’t possible." ~Daily Vibes

"We’ve all run into toxic people in our lives. Toxicity and negativity are everywhere, there’s really no escaping it. Even doing something as simple as watching TV can open the flood gates and allow toxic, negative information to flood your senses. Toxic people do what they can to control you, and if they can’t do that, they try to control how other people perceive you. It’s important to be able to identify this toxicity and stay away." ~Daily Vibes

"It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being." ~John Joseph Powell

"Real filth is the one inside. The rest simply washes off. There is only one type of dirt that cannot be cleansed with pure waters, and that is the stain of hatred and bigotry contaminating the soul. You can purify your body through abstinence and fasting, but only love will purify your heart." ~Shams of Tabriz

MY SOUL

"I am not this hair I am not this skin I am the soul That lives within." ~Rumi

FRIENDSHIP

"I am dressed with friendship." ~Rumi

THE BLOGGER

"The die is cast." ~Julius Caesar

AUTHOR

❤Heavenly Father, no matter what comes my way, please help me give this day completely over to You!❤

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I thank You this morning for the gift of life, I also thank you for the gift of wonderful people I have met along this journey. Some of them inspire me, some stretch me, challenge me, love me and encourage me. All of them help me to realize how beautiful and meaningful my life is. Bless every person here with good health, security, wealth, peace, joy and success. Grant their prayers too please. Amen.

BRIGHT LIGHT

"You are a bright light in the world and give love to those who need it most." ~Nametests

PUREST PLACE IN YOUR HEART

"Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart… where your hope lives." ~Everwood (Trust Your Journey)

"To a Poet" by Alexander Pushkin

"No poet should set store by public acclamation. Ecstatic praise will pass, an instant in the ear; The empty crowd will laugh, the fool will have his oration, But you must stay quite calm, unbending, and austere."

As I Am

“Maybe our favorite quotations say more about us than about the stories and people we're quoting.” ~John Green

TRUE LOVE

"You are the road of love and at the end my home." ~Rumi

FOREVER LOVE

"May the dawn of each new day bring great promise and inner strength." ~from Native Americans

Random Moment

"Be bold enough to use your voice, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you've always imagined." ~Anon

Sydney Opera House 40th Anniversary

"Today should always be our most wonderful day!" ~Thomas Dreier

Live Life to the Full

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Most Memorable Journey

"With the new day, comes new strength and new thoughts." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

International Fleet Review

"I still laugh at life no matter how tough it can get." ~Leah C. Dancel,( 3-11 October 2013

A Tribute to Cancer Survivors

In Support to Marvin Lane of The Rhyming Place

All photographs, unless noted, are my copyrights.

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place." ~Elliott Erwitt

Quotes are sourced from the Inspiration Line founded by Chelle Thompson, The Friendship Book of Francis Gay, The Happy Guy by David Leonhardt, Quotes by People on Stamps, Inspirational Quotations by Barbara J Olson and from other various sources that trickle my quotable interest.

"A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a man of wit, and a pebble in the hand of a fool." ~Joseph Roux

"While I gather storm of quotations, nothing inspires me most than those contained in The Bible ... Timeless!" ~Leah C. Dancel

༺♥༻༺♥༻༺♥

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving " ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“What is it in the melody of sound...which calls such visionary beauty forth from every tone?” ~R.E. Salaman

"The thoughts of the day become the dreams of the night." ~Anon

"Try to make at least one person happy every day. If you cannot do a kind deed, speak a kind word. If you cannot speak a kind word, think a kind thought. Count up, if you can, the treasure of happiness that you would dispense in a week, in a year, in a lifetime!" ~Lawrence G. Lovasik

༺♥༻༺♥༻༺♥BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS

Inspiring and uplifting thoughtsBring beauty to the mind,By dwelling on the positive,What's joyful, happy, kind.Courage and enthusiasm,Cheerfulness and grace,Radiating from withinAll show upon the face.

Reflecting on the beautiful,What's pure and good and true,Embracing all the world of wonderThat's surrounding you.Hope, contentment, peace and love,Your thoughts can soar on wings So let the life within your mindBe filled with lovely things.

~Kathleen Gillum ~༺♥༻༺♥༻༺♥

~ Max Ehrmann ~

A Prayer

Let me do my work each day;and if the darkened hoursof despair overcome me, may Inot forget the strengththat comforted me in thedesolation of other times.

May I still remember the brighthours that found me walkingover the silent hills of mychildhood, or dreaming on themargin of a quiet river,when a light glowed within me,and I promised my early Godto have courage amid thetempests of the changing years.

Spare me from bitternessand from the sharp passions ofunguarded moments. MayI not forget that poverty andriches are of the spirit.Though the world knows me not,may my thoughts and actionsbe such as shall keep me friendlywith myself.

Lift up my eyesfrom the earth, and let me notforget the uses of the stars.Forbid that I should judge otherslest I condemn myself.Let me not follow the clamor ofthe world, but walk calmlyin my path.

And though age and infirmityovertake me, and I come not withinsight of the castle of my dreams,teach me still to be thankfulfor life, and for time's oldenmemories that are good andsweet; and may the evening'stwilight find me gentle still.

(The Desiderata of Happiness)

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrender be on good termswith all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly;and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant;they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others,you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.Keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs;for the world is full of trickery.But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism.Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.But do not distress yourself with imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace with God,whatever you conceive Him to be.And whatever your labours and aspirations,in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,it is still a beautiful world.Be cheerful, strive to be happy.

PROTECT ME O LORD

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.

"When you find time on your hands, put them together in prayer." ~Our Daily Bread

"Remember the day's blessings; forget the day's troubles"~Anon

GREATER BLESSINGS

"Every pain that you learn to tolerate leaves you healthier than it found you" ~G. Teodoro, Jr.

PEACE

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

DREAM ON

"Every dream that you left behind is a piece of your future that won't exist." ~Steve Jobs

FLY AWAY HOME

Au revoir to the LAND of LONG WHITE CLOUDS

MY PLACE FOR SERENITY

... be quiet, please...

Written in the Sand

"Keep dreaming and create reality." ~Kristian Kan

NO EXPLANATION

"Beauty is a form of genius — is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation. It is of the great facts in the world like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection in dark water of that silver shell we call the moon." ~Oscar Wilde

LAO TZU

Tao Te Ching

AUTUMN

"Seasons change and so do you. Trust the rhythms of your life." ~Project Happiness

KNOW THYSELF

"To know others is wisdom, to know oneself enlightenment." ~Lao Tzu

MY WORLD

"The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself." ~Michel de Montaigne

COMPANION

"Fortunate is he who does not carry envy as a companion." ~Rumi

VALORIZAR CADA MOMENTO

"May you be Strengthened by Yesterday's rain, Walk straight in Tomorrow's wind, and Cherish each moment Of the Sun today." ~Ojibwa Prayer

Naturally Homegrown

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." - Confucius

BEST WISHES TO MY GUESTS

"The best feeling in the world is being loved back by the person you love." ~ Anon

2015

"A book of quotations can never be complete." ~Robert M. Hamilton

SUNSHINE IN AUTUMN

“There is no remedy for love but to love more.” ~Henry David Thoreau

VERMILLION SEAL

"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind." ~Albert Einstein

PRECIOUS GIFT

"I look at life as a gift of God." ~Joyce Cary

LIVE WELL

"Daily find something to laugh about. A sense of humor and a good belly laugh relieves stress, inspires hope, keeps you alert and connects you to others." ~Total Body Wellness

From My Desk

I feel so honoured to find that there are websites who sourced some of their materials from my blog as I have sourced mine from others. It is great to be able to channel some wonderful thoughts of my great friends to be shared to many others, hoping it will give them some uplifting words to live by.

Learning words of wisdom from people helps me to be philosophical and practical in my approach to life. Of course, I follow my own conviction trying not to compromise any conventions. I certainly do not lean on my own understanding either. We all need divine inspired guidance. My parents were my first teachers who taught me some "nuggets of wisdom". To them, I am indebted my knowledge of life to which they molded my intellectual and spiritual well-being.

Prayer

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” ~Reinhold Niebuhr

"Prayer is an essential tool for us to talk with God and to build a closer relationship with Him, so we can become more like our Father. " ~Douglas S Winnail

"Prayer is our pathway not only to divine protection, but also to a personal, intimate relationship with God." ~ Shirley Dobson

"Prayer is the wing wherewith the soul flies to heaven and meditation the eye wherewith we see God." ~ Ambrose of Milan

"Having a life time of prayer, talking to God become natural as breathing...it's the presence of God ... moment by moment reality" ~ Anon

"Prayer is and remains always a native and deepest impulse of the soul of man." ~ Thomas Carlyle

"In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart." ~John Bunyan*****"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." ~ Charles M. Schulz

Content and Honour

"O God, help us to perform our duties with laughter and kind faces; and let cheerfulness abound with industry. Give us to go blithely on our business all this day, and bring us to our resting beds weary and content and undishonoured; for Jesus Christ's sake." ~Robert Louis Stevenson

About Me

"To thine own self be true, , Thou canst not then be false to any man."~ William Shakespeare

A Hebrew origin, means 'the joyous one'

Leah is magnetic and seductiveShe carries a sense of her own powerShe has a great skill for teaching othersShe sees the ironies of life all too clearlyHer capacity for sympathy is celebratedShe is a mistress of persuasionHer strong powers of endurance set her aloftHer home is haven of securityShe may be prone to exhibitionismNothing is free from her scrutiny.

Leah ~ also means "weary" relinquishing her heart to love, for she is a hopeless romantic, putting others before herself, for she knows no other way but to give a helping hand, her reassuring smile is there for all to see, no cause is too great, for giving up is unknown to her, she loves a challenge to do her best.

You are calm and rational.You are also GIVING and KIND - a Great FRIEND.You are EASY GOING and TRUSTING.However, you are too SENSIBLE to fall for MIND GAMES.

,Lily

You are artsy and elegant. Your imagination allows you to place yourself in other people’s shoes, which allows you to easily understand and sympathize with those around you.

❤❤❤

"What is a friend? I will tell you, it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself." ~Frank Crane

"The essence of a perfect friendship is that each friend reveals himself utterly to the other, flings aside his reserves, and shows himself for what he truly is." ~Robert Benson

"Beauty is power; a smile is its sword." - John Ray

"A woman whose smile is open and whose expression is glad has a kind of beauty no matter what she wears."~Anne Roiphe

"Basic beauty lies in the way a woman walks; it is health and an attitude to life." ~Nancy Astor "Goodness is beauty in the best estate." ~Christopher Marlowe

"Integrity reveals beauty." ~Thomas Leonard

"Of life's two chief prizes, beauty and truth, I found the first in a loving heart and the second in a laborer's hand." ~Khalil Gibran

“Real beauty is about looking life right in the face and seeing all its magnificence reflected in your own.” ~Valerie Monroe"A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside."~Denis Waitley

It's not wise to count your friendson a bright sunny day,when the sky is blueand smiles come so easily.

Instead wait for a storm,when the clouds are dark andthe day grows cold,and laughter is not heardin your heavy heart.

Then when a friend comesand stands beside youand lifts your spirits to the skyand laughter is in your heart,he or she deserves the name ...

FRIEND.

Thank you, my Friend,for braving the storms with meand for making the sunny days so much brighter.

You are You

You are strong when you take your grief and teach it to smile.

You are brave when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same.

You are happy when you see a flower and are thankful for the blessing.

You are loving when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others.

You are wise when you know the limits of your wisdom.

You are true when you admit there are times you fool yourself.

You are alive when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's mistake.

You are growing when you know what you are but not what you will become.

You are free when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to control others.

You are honorable when you find your honor is to honor others.

You are generous when you can take as sweetly as you can give.

You are humble when you do not know how humble you are.

You are thoughtful when you see me just as I am and treat me just as you are.

You are merciful when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself.

You are beautiful when you don't need a mirror to tell you.

You are rich when you never need more than what you have.

You are you when you are at peace with who you are not.

~Anon~

*****

Stand Up in For Yourself;Stand Up and be Yourself

Stop hiding!Stop holding yourself back and playing yourself down!Stop worrying about how you look and what people are saying.Stop listening to what people are saying and trying to find out if they are whispering about you.Stop waiting for someone to tell you that you are okay or to make you feel special.Life is special!It is a special gift.This is your life!Now take your gift and live it out in the open!Decide today that you are going to live out loud!

Living out loud means having the courage to be exactly who you are without apology.It means admitting your mistakes without beating yourself up.It means not taking who you are and what you have for granted.Release all shame!Release all guilt!You cannot live out loud if you are hiding behind what was.Living out loud means focusing on what is, right now, and that is you!

To live out loud means showing up as your authentic self, without your makeup or your toupee.It means acknowledging your shortcomings and celebrating your strengths.Living out loud means broadcasting your needs, your likes and your dislikes as they relate to your fears and frustrations.It means that you let people know exactly who you are and expect them to be as thrilled as you are about who you are.

In order to live out loud you must have faith in yourself and in the process of life.You must have principles you live by and standards by which you can govern and gauge yourself.Most important, in order to live out loud you must love yourself enough to tell yourself and everyone else the absolute truth about you.When you can do that, you can live out loud and be very proud about what the world will hear about you.

Until today, you may have been living your life in a whisper.Just for today, take one step toward pumping up your volume.Stand up in yourself! Stand up and be yourself!

~Iyanla Vanzant~

TO WONDER

To wonder, to know,

To explore, always asking:

What am I?

Who am I?

What will become of me?

Of my knowledge?

Am I squandered on the world?

Cheapening existence through vanity?

How long before I am fit to say, I know this!

Rather than, I think this.

That in itself questions self,

Whether our thought and mind is

Our own knowledge and assurance.

At what point in time do we stop marching?

Pencil upon paper, sight upon colour and light.

A fixation upon what we comprehend

And that, which is incomprehensible.

Are we gambling with the gifts we are given?

Are they gifts?

The ability to question choice, life, the air we breathe;

The sun, the moon, clouds, stars, the earth, wind, rain, height.

Re-reading leads.

Random, our teachers abandon us,

Fending for all you are on your own

'Tis a lonely path all humans follow, trying to fill the void

With relationships, contact with others, family, friends.

I advanced myself only through victory.

Victory against what?

If there’s nothing to fight against,

How do we advance at all?

Do we fight against self-doubt?

From the Original Manuscript Written by Lily

Poetic Concept:

Copyright@2008, LD, All rights reserved.

Remember today all the blessings you have

Remember today that you are alive.Sometimes we tend to forget.You have a purpose that is all your own.No one else is you.You have dreams and hopes and desires.Listen to your heart for a while.

Remember today all the blessings you have.There's beauty in every direction you look.Enjoy the abundance that is already yours.The world is a wonderful place and you're here.

Remember today that you get what you give.Your world is a mirror of your inner self.Love will be yours when you give it away.

Remember today that life is creation.As long as you live you can always contributeyour own special voice.Remember today is a special time.Make the best of it while you can.

A VANISHED FRIEND

Around the corner I have a friend,In this great city that has no end,Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friend's face,For life is a swift and terrible race,He knows I like him just as well,As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine but we were younger then,And now we are busy, tired men.Tired of playing a foolish game,Tired of trying to make a name.

'Tomorrow' I say! 'I will call on JimJust to show that I'm thinking of him.'But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,And distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away,'Here's a telegram sir,' Jim died today.'And that's what we get and deserve in the end.Around the corner, a vanished friend.

~Anon~

Remember to always say what you mean. If you love someone, tell them. Because when you decide that it is the right time it might be too late.

Seize the dayNever have regrets.And most importantly,stay close to your friendsand family, for they have helpedmake you the person that you are today.

SMILE, even through your tears! ~JBY

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

BEAUTY

It is when beauty arrives,

To wake us up and come alive,

Guide our eyes to the sky,

To look within and we will shine.

Keep the flame of hope burning bright,

To see our inner light come to life,

And then the winds blow and we begin to breathe,

To hold that moment that never leaves.

Seek the beauty within the world,

Grasp the life we hold deep inside,

Embrace everything from our soul,

Until we reflect the light from our eyes.

The light gives life to the colours of change, Blending into one that remain the same, Adorning the blue stained sky,

Dreams reign high while clouds entwine.

And the depths of the ocean below,

Reflects our tears through rain and snow, Crystallised in the blink of our eyes,

A momentary glimmer of the radiant light.

Stars awaken as we look above,

And pain slowly fades to love,

Reawakened as we morph to dust,

And dissolve in all that is and ever was.

We reveal of what is inside,

Within the lineaments of our soul,

A beauty mirrored from our eyes,

It is a teardrop filled with the world.

Beauty is the essence of the heart,

As love is expressed into an art,

A light that is born that guides us home,

A dream that dawns of all we've known.

A birth into the unborn again,

A commencing where all become still,

A starting where we stopped to rest,

A momentary time that we fulfill.

Patrick Graven

FB

The day is DONE

The day is done,

it cannot be changed.

My actions and my thoughts

reflected my own spirit

on this day of some,

I am proud,

of some I am not.

When I wake,

there will be new chances...

To think and act

with wisdom and compassion.

There will be new temptations

to be petty,

small or selfish...

May I choose wisely and well

from waking to day's end...

And be a blessing to all I meet.

~Anon~

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

We Are Collective

Let the real revolution begin.

This is a fight to save our country's future.

To salvage the gains we have so far achieved

when we decided to put the right man in Malacanang.

To ensure that everything he does

and all he has accomplished will bear fruit

instead of simply going to waste.

To cut our ties of dependence to oligarchic structures

whose only desire is to enslave us.

To chart our own course.

Fueled by a longing to break free from the past.

To see a country where we all enjoy real economic progress.

To see the day when Filipinos do not need to migrate.

To stand proudly among the brotherhood of nations.

Not as beggars but as equals.

Duterte has shown us the way.

But evil forces conspire to block that path.

Using every weapon in their arsenal to fool and deceive us.

This we cannot allow.

Because we are Legion.

We are the Multitude.

We are Collective.

"A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty." ~Anon

"The voice of the Lord is the voice of common sense, which is shared by all that is ~Samuel Butler (1835 - 1902)

May the sun bring you new energy by day.May the moon softly restore you by night.May the rain wash away your worries.May the breeze blow new strength into your being.May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.